Deacon Thompson ‘Rocks’ His Way to the Priesthood

As an eighth-grader, Deacon Gregory Thompson was afraid of
being called to the priesthood, but he doesn't know why. It
was several years more before he realized he did have a
call.
"I only seriously began discerning a call to the priesthood
after I attended a Mount 2000 retreat at Mount St. Mary's
University in Emmitsburg," Thompson said. "I had a powerful
experience of God's love for me and began to think about how
I could serve the Lord better. I remember asking myself the
question: what could I do for the Lord? The answer I came up
with was: how about being a priest?"
Thompson returned to the university's seminary to pursue
this vocation.
He told his parents about his call to the priesthood on the
Easter Vigil of 2000.
"I'll never forget when I told them," he said. "My mom
wanted to buy vestments right away. I had to calm her down
because I knew that I would have to wait for that. My mom and
dad have assisted me so much during my formation. I could not
have done it without them."
Although his parents live in Pennsylvania, Thompson decided
to become a priest for Arlington because, "I had always
admired the fervor of the people of the diocese and felt
called to serve them in this way," he said. "I thought about
how many of the churches in the diocese often were packed
with people. I wanted to be in a diocese where there was much
enthusiasm for the Faith."
One of the experiences he has enjoyed most during his
formation was playing the electric guitar for Mount 2000 and
Beyond last year. He had left a rock band before entering the
seminary and said he enjoyed playing great music and praising
Jesus at the same time.
"It was great to play with Martin Doman and his band to
praise the Lord," he said. "I had some fans during the
weekend saying 'You Rock!' That is very unusual for a deacon
wearing a clerical collar to hear."
Thompson has enjoyed the fraternity among the seminarians as
they have discerned on their path to the priesthood
together.
"The friendships I made in seminary I will probably have the
rest of my life," he said. "One of the greatest experiences
of my life was serving as a deacon for a friend's diaconate
and priesthood ordination. We got each other through thick
and thin studying for the challenging academics of the
seminary."
Thompson was inspired and encouraged by many priests during
his formation. Bishop Kevin Rhoades, former rector at Mount
St. Mary's, was "an example of holiness and virtue." He also
enjoyed working with the pastors at his summer assignments,
especially Fathers Robert Lange, Daniel Mode and John
Kelly.
"Each of them had something to give me to help me grow in
holiness in preparation for the priesthood," he said. "I also
am very appreciative of Father Philip Majka, the former
pastor of St. Patrick in Chancellorsville, who always
welcomed me back for breaks and gave me the opportunity to
help each year at the Easter Vigil."
Thompson said is looking forward to being a priest for the
diocese and he feels that "this is truly what the Lord Jesus
wants for me in life.
"I am praying every day that I can be a faithful priest
bringing as many souls to Jesus." Mary Frances McCarthy can
be contacted at mmccarthy@catholicherald.com.